There are 15 area wrestlers still competing. How many will be mentioned next week depends on how well they do this weekend at the sectional level of the state tournament series.

Pontiac has three competing at the Class 2A Rochelle Sectional while Dwight has three at the Class 1A Plano Sectional.

Prairie Central has the most with nine taking the mat at the Class 1A Olympia Sectional.

Pontiac head coach Corey Christenson summed it up for his wrestlers, but it pretty much spoke for all the competitors when he said that they need to stay aggressive.

Here’s a look at the sectional qualifiers, who they will face in their first match and who might be next. The first two rounds will take place Friday night with the semifinals, wrestlebacks and finals held on Saturday.

Pontiac Indians

Alex Friedman, Stephen Richardson and Vaughn Hobart are the PTHS representatives in the rugged Rochelle Sectional.

“They all need to stay aggressive, perfect position, and push the pace (and) score lots of points in case of an ‘oops,’” Christenson said. “All three are explosive and dangerous with the ability to win the sectional or at least qualify.”

The main man is Alex Friedman. The 160-pound senior has been here before and knows what it takes to get to the state finals meet. He shot through the regional meet with three pins, including taking down the seventh-ranked wrestler in 2A, according to Illinois Matmen.

“Alex needs to just stay on task and on his mission,” Christenson said. “He is wrestling to win and that is the only thing on his mind.”

Friedman is ranked third in 2A and is sitting with a 38-1 record. In terms of who is at Rochelle, Friedman has to be considered the favorite. He has a first-round bye before taking the winner of the match between Ryan Pitra of Geneseo and Tony Hall of East Peoria in the quarterfinal round.

“It’s a matter of mind set for Alex and if it is set right, get out of his way,” Christenson said.

Stephen Richardson is a 132-pound junior sporting a 33-3 record and a No. 5 ranking. He doesn’t seem to get too excited, which is something that has stunned some of his opponents.

He is lightning quick and dangerous in a scramble.

“He needs to maintain perfect position on his feet not letting anyone in and keep his hips under control ready to score,” Christenson said.

Page 2 of 3 - Like Friedman, Richardson has a first-round bye after winning the 132-pound title at the PTHS regional. He will take on the winner of the match between Trent Brinkmeier of Dixon and Ryan Barelli of Rockford Boylan.

The “kid” of the group is freshman Vaughn Hobart. The 145-pounder had an “oops” moment last week when he lost his first match. Hobart rallied through the wrestlebacks to advance. He exacted revenge in the third-place bout with a 16-0 tech fall against the guy he lost two in the first round.

“The vets have been coaching and mentoring the kid in multiple aspect,” Christenson said. “They explain my philosophy and the reasoning for the action, scoring and mental toughness.

“All three have been encouraging each other in everything and holding each other accountable for every action, which has been nice.”

Hobart’s road is definitely the toughest because he has a match in the first round. He faces a senior in Peoria Notre Dame’s Scott Bousek. A win puts Hobart in the quarterfinals against Josiah Cropp of Geneseo.

“The ‘kid’ needs to just explode and finish his take downs and stay off his knees,” Christenson said. “He can beat anyone when he finishes. Vaughn will have to wrestle tough in every way and just wrestle to his capability.”

Prairie Central Hawks

To have all nine Hawks to make it to state is asking a lot. But each at least has an opportunity. Barring injury or a misstep, Prairie Central could be well represented at the Assembly Hall next weekend.

“I tell our guys to take the tournament one match at a time,” PC head coach Ben Morris said. “They all will want to win their one or two matches on Friday night to be in their best position to advance on Saturday.”

Paul Garcia, Evan Bahler, John Kupferschmid, Alex Rhoda and Cody Parks each won a regional title and will get first-round byes.

Garcia, a freshman at 132 pounds, is 24-11. He will take on the winner of the match between George Ford of PORTA and Drake Barr of Midwest Central.

Bahler placed fourth at state last year at 138 pounds. At 31-5, Bahler has a shot at making the state final meet at 145. His first bout at Olympia will be against the winner of the Les Trotter (Clinton)-Chad Thompson (Quincy Notre Dame) match.

Kupferschmid won at 182 pounds to improve to 27-5. He will be waiting on the winner of the match between Lane Lindstrom (LeRoy) and Jake Vahkamp (QND).

Page 3 of 3 - Rhoda’s run through the 195-pound field at Bismarck was not as challenging as at Olympia. Rhoda (23-11) will face the winner of the battle between El Paso-Gridley’s Tristun Reeves and Alex Miller of Monmouth-Roseville.

Parks is 24-8 and earned a bye with a title at 220 pounds. His opponent will be either Linden Rossing of Pittsfield or Landon Fisher from El Paso-Gridley.

Ben Traub has been to the sectional, but that was two years ago. The senior will be looking to make it to state this time. Without underestimating anyone, Traub (26-8) appears to have a solid chance at making the semifinals. He opens against Triston Ballinger of Olympia, and then — with a win — would take on Austin Wilson of Peoria Heights in the quarterfinals.

Sam Schuler (28-6) advanced to the sectional last year and will also look to move farther. The 152-pounder has a tough first-round battle with QND’s Blake Schutte. The winner of this bout will likely advance past Eureka’s Jeremy Beal (13-13) in the quarterfinal round.

Jake Adams has filled the spot of Andrew Schuler and did well enough to advance out of the regional. Adams (9-8) is a freshman looking to pull off some upsets at 160 pounds. He opens with Cole Hutson of EPG. Chase ward of Illini Bluffs sits in the quarterfinal round.

Brett Bennett (25-4) also has a good shot at working his through to the semifinal round at 285. Bennett will meet Gavin Edwards of Heyworth. Up next would be Zach Ziegler of Midland in the quarterfinals.

Dwight Trojans

DTHS is in what may be the toughest sectional with all the Interstate Eight teams and Chicagoland schools.

Anthony Bauer is the lone regional champion for the Trojans. The 195-pound junior will get a bye before facing the winner of the match between Michael Szcygiel of Geurin Prep and Logan Belcher of Manteno.

Mikal Kelly, who has been a mission to make it to state, will get a warmup against Anthony Quiroz of Chicago Uno Charter in the first round of the 152-pound bracket. Without taking too lightly, Kelly (28-6) should move to the quarters against a decidedly tougher foe in Mike Waldmarson of Illiana Christian.

Brandon Allen is 32-5 and has wrestled in many weight classes. He will look to move on at 160 as he opens against Kyle Binion of Walther Lutheran, who sports a losing record. A win puts Allen in the quarters opposite Adam Ferrell of Westmont.